ADC launches coalition in Akwa Ibom, vows to reclaim democracy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a coalition in Akwa Ibom State as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The coalition brings together stakeholders from opposition parties and former gubernatorial candidates in the 2023 elections, including Senator John James Akpanudoedehe of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Uduak Udoh of the Labour Party, Prince Jeremiah Akpan of the Action Alliance, and Austin Ekanem, former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.

Speaking during the flag-off in Uyo, the state chairman of the coalition, Duke Dick, said the group’s mission is to “reclaim, renew and re-anchor democracy in the will of the people.”

On the theme “Reclaiming Democracy & Empowering the People”, Dick said the coalition would resist the politics of “money-bags and godfathers” while promoting inclusion, transparency and accountability.

“Our mission is to break the chains of corruption and exclusion, to give voice to the youth, empower women, mobilize the diaspora and unite our diversity into strength,” he said.

He lamented that despite Akwa Ibom’s natural and human resources, many families still live in poverty, while youths and women remain sidelined in governance.

Akpanudoedehe, the NNPP candidate in the 2023 election, urged Akwa Ibom people to embrace the coalition and unite to end what he described as the “insensitive and mean” leadership of the present government.

Similarly, Labour Party’s Dr. Udoh stressed the need for credible candidates, while ADC’s Assistant National Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Ben Smith, said the coalition offered hope amid worsening poverty and insecurity.

Youth and women leaders of the coalition, Edidiong Ekpe and Juliet Amba, pledged grassroots mobilisation and unity ahead of the polls.

The highlight of the ceremony was the hoisting of the ADC flag by the state chairman.